The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the attentional focus strategies used by triathletes during the three stages of an Olympic distance triathlon, (b) if level of experience influences the attentional focus strategies used by triathletes, and (c) whether there is a relationship between athletes finishing times and the attentional strategies used in each stage of the race. Triathletes (N = 160) completed the Triathlon Attentional Focus Inventory, which measured association and dissociation during the swim, bike, and run. Athletes were classified into groups based on level of experience as well as finish times in the competition. Level of experience was determined based on the total number of triathlons completed, the number of hours of training per week, and reasons for involvement in triathlon. Overall race completion times and individual swim, bike, and run finish times were obtained for each participant from the race results to classify athletes by performance. One-way ANOVAs revealed significant differences between the athletes` level of experience and the attentional strategies used, as well as differences between the athletes overall race time and the attentional strategies used during each stage of the triathlon. Athletes with more experience focused on monitoring their pace and breathing more during the race whereas athletes with less experience let their minds wander more throughout the race. Based on overall race time, slower athletes let their minds wander more than athletes with faster times during the bike portion of the race.
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